Souths star Jack Wighton cops massive ban after ‘contentious’ incident

Jack Wighton has copped a massive ban from the match review committee for an ugly incident in Souths’ loss to Cronulla.

Souths star Jack Wighton has copped a massive ban from the match review committee for an incident he was sent to the sin bin for during his side’s 14-12 loss to Cronulla.

Wighton learned his fate on Sunday, receiving a three-match ban with an early plea. If Wighton fights the charge and loses, he’ll miss four games.

The ban was so substantial as it was Wighton’s second shoulder charge offence.

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Wighton levelled Sharks prop Toby Rudolf, who came off worse for wear after an accidental head clash.

Rudolf was clearly groggy and had to be helped off the field.

Wighton was then called over by referee Belinda Sharpe, who gave the Souths star his marching orders.

You can watch the incident in the player above.

The Bunker said this tackle from Jack Wighton on Toby Rudolf constituted a sin bin.

“Contact is head on head but it’s a shoulder charge with no attempt to wrap (your arms), you’re in the bin,” Sharpe said to Wighton.

“Oh no, it’s over for Wighton for 10 minutes,” Dan Ginnane said on Fox League in response.

“So acknowledgment for head on head contact but a shoulder charge nonetheless.”

Ginnane and co-commentator Kevin Walters both disagreed with the decision to sin bin Wighton.

“That’s interesting … That’s contentious. Is the referee is blaming the head on head contact for the injury,” Ginnane said.

“Did it look like a shoulder charge Kev?”

“No. I don’t think that’s a shoulder charge, the inside arm is wrapping. I think it’s more the fact that Rudolf got KO’d,” Walters replied.

Ginnane then labelled it a “reaction sin bin”.

Originally published as Souths star Jack Wighton cops massive ban after ‘contentious’ incident